Invasive Mussel News

This message is being forwarded on behalf of the US Bureau of Reclamation:

The Bureau of Reclamation is pleased to announce the Call for Proposals for the Fiscal Year 2026 Mussels and Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Spend Plan. Please reach out to your BOR Regional Coordinator (see below) for the actual Spend Plan Proposal informational and guidance document.

This funding opportunity supports projects that address the prevention, containment, control, and management of aquatic nuisance species, with a primary focus on invasive mussels. Proposals targeting other AIS threats—such as crayfish and invasive aquatic vegetation—are also welcome.

Key Details

• Proposal Deadline: August 29, 2025
• Submission Format: Completed proposal with requested information
• Funding Range: No minimum or maximum threshold; proposals will be evaluated based on merit and alignment with program goals
• Multiple proposals may be submitted by an applicant
• Please work with your state coordinators to ensure projects align with state goals and coverage.

How to Submit

• Please submit your proposal to your Regional Coordinator.
• California-Great Basin Region: Melanie Lowe (mlowe@usbr.gov)
• Columbia Pacific Northwest Region: Cory Sandow (csandow@usbr.gov)
• Lower Colorado River Basin: Thomas Ashley (tcashley@usbr.gov)
• Missouri Basin /Arkansas-Rio Grande-Texas Gulf Region: Jason Gibbons (jgibbons@usbr.gov)
• Upper Colorado River Basin: Alex Walker (aewalker@usbr.gov)

Evaluation Process

All proposals will be reviewed by a bureau-wide evaluation committee. Funding decisions are expected to be announced by November or December 2025. A final determination of funding is contingent on appropriations.

We appreciate your continued partnership in protecting our water infrastructure and ecosystems from invasive species. Your contributions are vital to the success of this program.

Quick FAQs

• Q: Is there a Notice of Funding Opportunity link in GrandSolutions.gov?
  • A: No, this is an internal allocation of Bureau appropriations. Selected projects will be entered into GrantSolutions.gov after by our staff.
• Q: Can I submit a multiple year project?
  • A: Yes, but please ensure the proposal is clear. Is the proposal $100k for 3 years (year 1-$33k, year 2-$33k, etc) covering the life of the project? Or is the ask $100k for year one but the project is multiple years with funding needed each year? If it is the latter, subsequent year funding is NOT guaranteed. Your Regional Coordinator may set up your grant for up to 5 years to make it easier to modify an existing grant should additional year funds be approved. It is NOT a guarantee for funding.
• Q: I'm unsure if my project has a Reclamation nexus. Who should I talk to?
  • A: Reach out to your appropriate Regional Coordinator to assist in identifying the Reclamation project or nexus.

On July 7, 2025, Department of Water Resources staff found a single golden mussel attached to an intake stop log at John R Teerink Wheeler Ridge Pumping Plant. This pumping plant is located on the California Aqueduct near Mettler and it is the southernmost detection to date of an adult golden mussel in California. Water from the California Aqueduct flows south of here and splits into the East and West Branches of the Aqueduct. Water in the Western Branch of the Aqueduct flows into Quail Lake, where golden mussel veligers were detected in May and June 2025. Water from Quail Lake is released via the Lower Quail Canal, passes through the Warne Powerplant, and flows to Pyramid Lake. Water from Pyramid Lake flows into Elderberry Forebay, and Castaic Lake, which is the terminus of the West Branch. Water from Castaic Lake flows into Castaic Lagoon, Castaic Creek, and the Santa Clara River. Pyramid Lake also releases water to Middle Piru Creek which flows to Lake Piru, Lower Piru Creek, and Santa Clara River. Quagga mussels have been detected in Pyramid Lake and downstream waters.

Water in the East Branch of the Aqueduct flows into Silverwood Lake and Lake Perris. Lake Perris is the terminus of the East Branch.

In response to the detection of golden mussel in California waterways, the state of California has developed a comprehensive Golden Mussel Response Framework (PDF) to address this invasive species threat. DWR, in coordination with partner agencies, has implemented regular inspections and maintenance at State Water Project facilities to minimize the effects of golden mussels. The discovery of golden mussels poses no imminent impacts to water quality or DWR’s ability to deliver water to 27 million Californians.& DWR continues to work diligently to implement protective measures to minimize the spread of this invasive species, prevent the fouling of equipment, and maintain operational capacity.

For specific questions about DWR’s response, please contact Maggie Macias, DWR Information Officer at (916) 902-7405. For questions regarding CDFW’s response, please contact CDFW’s hotline at (866) 440-9530.

Golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei) veligers have been detected in Quail Lake, Los Angeles County, following testing of plankton samples collected by California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).

On June 9, DWR detected golden mussel veligers in plankton tow samples that were collected at the Quail Lake outlet location on June 3 and analyzed with cross-polarized light microscopy (CPLM). The veligers were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis as golden mussel.

On June 16, CDFW’s Invasive Species Program (ISP) detected 12 veligers using CPLM in plankton tow samples collected at the inlet and outlet of Quail Lake on May 8 and May 29. The veligers were confirmed by PCR analysis and DNA sequencing as golden mussels.

Quail Lake, part of the State Water Project’s West Branch, only allows shoreline fishing and no boating. The lake is located downstream of Check 24, previously the southern-most sighting of golden mussel.

Water from Quail Lake is released via the Lower Quail Canal, passes through the Warne Powerplant, and flows to Pyramid Lake. Water from Pyramid Lake flows into Elderberry Forebay, and Castaic Lake, which is the terminus of the West Branch. Water from Castaic Lake flows into Castaic Lagoon, Castaic Creek, and the Santa Clara River. Pyramid Lake also releases water to Middle Piru Creek which flows to Lake Piru, Lower Piru Creek, and Santa Clara River. Quagga mussels have been detected in Pyramid Lake and downstream waters.

In response to the detection of golden mussel in California waterways, the state of California has developed a comprehensive Golden Mussel Response Framework (PDF) to address this invasive species threat. DWR, in coordination with partner agencies, has implemented regular inspections and maintenance at State Water Project facilities to minimize the effects of golden mussels. The discovery of golden mussels poses no imminent impacts to water quality or DWR’s ability to deliver water to 27 million Californians. DWR continues to work diligently to implement protective measures to minimize the spread of this invasive species, prevent the fouling of equipment, and maintain operational capacity.

For specific questions about DWR’s response, contact Maggie Macias, DWR Information Officer, at (916) 902-7405. For questions regarding CDFW’s response, contact CDFW’s hotline at (866) 440-9530.